Related Articles

Round steak is a generic term for steaks cut from the upper hind leg, or round section, of a cow. Specific cuts include top round steak, bottom round steak and round tip steak, though grocery stores and butchers may label these cuts as knuckle, breakfast or sandwich steak. All types of round steak meet the United States Department of Agriculture's guidelines for lean cuts of beef, and can be a healthy, nutritious part of a balanced diet. Round steaks also provide a significant amount of protein along with essential vitamins and minerals.

Fat

A 3-ounce, 84-gram serving of round steak contains 5 grams of total fat, an amount that is equivalent to approximately 28 percent of the 160 total calories in a round steak serving. Each serving also contains 2 grams of saturated fat and 70 milligrams of cholesterol. These totals fall below the USDA guidelines that categorize lean beef as being any cut that contains less than 10 grams of total fat, 95 milligrams of cholesterol and 4.5 grams of saturated fat. A medical study published in "Public Health Nutrition" reported that eating lean beef like round steak was not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Another study, conducted in 2000, found that lean beef may be beneficial when included in a cholesterol-lowering diet program.

Protein

Each serving of round steak provides 27 grams of protein. This is 51 percent of the total amount of daily protein recommended for healthy adults consuming a 2,000-calorie diet. Unlike plant-based protein, round steak is a complete protein source, meaning that it contains all of the amino acids the body needs to synthesize essential enzymes, hormones and tissues. Obtaining between 10 to 35 percent of your daily caloric intake from lean proteins like round steak may help decrease your risk of obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes and gradual muscle mass deterioration associated with aging.

Vitamins

Round steak is a significant source of a number of vitamins, particularly B vitamins like riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. A 3-ounce serving of cooked round steak provides 1.45 micrograms of vitamin B12, or 37 percent of the recommended daily intake of the vitamin. According to Beefnutrition.org, a site associated with the Cattlemen's Beef Board and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, people who regularly consume beef are nearly 25 percent more likely to meet their daily vitamin B12 requirement than people who don't eat beef. Every round steak serving also contains 17 percent of the RDA of niacin, 15 percent of the vitamin B6 RDA and 12 percent of the amount of riboflavin recommended daily. Together, these B vitamins are responsible for energy metabolism and the health of the neurological, immune and cardiovascular systems.

Minerals

Lean beef cuts like round steak are rich in the vital minerals iron, zinc, selenium and phosphorus. An 84-gram serving of round steak provides nearly 5 milligrams of zinc, an amount that fulfills 38 percent of the recommended daily allowance of zinc for an adult. Round steak's 2.23 milligrams of iron per serving provide 15 percent of the RDA of iron. Adequate zinc and iron intake is needed to prevent anemia, neurological problems and immune system impairment. A serving of round steak also contains 26 percent of the RDA of selenium and 20 percent of the RDA of phosphorus. Selenium acts as an antioxidant, while phosphorus strengthens bones and teeth.

Journal of the American College of Nutrition: Incorporation of Lean Red Meat into a National Cholesterol Education Program Step 1 Diet

About the Author

Michelle Kerns writes for a variety of print and online publications and specializes in literature and science topics. She has served as a book columnist since 2008 and is a member of the National Book Critics Circle. Kerns studied English literature and neurology at UC Davis.